Abuja: The Nigerian government has trained 18 retired civil servants in entrepreneurship and agro-allied enterprises to promote food sovereignty, job creation, and economic inclusion. Speaking at the fifth edition of the Entrepreneurship Skills Development Workshop, held at the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, said the training was designed to empower retiring officers to establish small-scale businesses that will generate employment, reduce poverty, strengthen food security, and stimulate economic growth.
According to Voice of Nigeria, Dr Ogunbiyi explained that the programme would equip the participants with practical knowledge and entrepreneurial skills to manage viable ventures such as poultry, crop farming, and aquaculture, enabling them to remain productive and self-reliant after retirement. He urged the beneficiaries to apply the knowledge gained from the training to expand their businesses and contribute to the country’s food security goals.
Dr Ogunbiyi further noted, ‘through this initiative, the Ministry seeks to demonstrate its commitment to the welfare and empowerment of its workforce, both during active service and in retirement. We want our staff to see agriculture not only as a government responsibility but also as a viable business opportunity – one that aligns with the Nigerian government’s agenda for food security, economic diversification, and poverty reduction.’ He reaffirmed the Ministry’s dedication to advancing the goals of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 2025) through programmes that promote staff welfare, lifelong learning, and sustainable livelihoods.
Earlier, the Director of Reform Coordination, Service Improvement and Innovation, Mr Udo Effik, said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises food sovereignty, job creation, wealth generation, and inclusivity.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Gani Garba, a retired Director from the Department of Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Services, expressed gratitude to the Ministry for the impactful training and pledged that the retirees would embrace agribusiness as a sustainable means of livelihood. The event concluded with the presentation of certificates and starter packs to the participants.